Hi, Folks!
I am a tenured Associate Professor at La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA, USA. I have my B.S. Degree with a Double Major in Chemistry and Physics and my Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry with specialties in Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy, Instrument Design, and Automation Software Development. I teach in an interdisciplinary undergraduate program called Integrated Science, Business, and Technology in which our students study the process of developing scientific discoveries into new products and services using collaborative business practices. I develop and teach courses in Energy, Materials, and Informatics, and have personal research interests in Robotics and Machine Intelligence.
After joining Facebook as soon as La Salle was added to the Facebook servers in 2005 and Joining Twitter in 2007, I created the Facebook and Twitter accounts for the University as I was unable to convince our IT department that it was important for the University to have a presence on social media.
After openly sharing my personal Political positions as a Constitutional Conservative and my support of Donald Trump, the backlash on Facebook and Twitter was so severe that I no longer use those networks.
As a Conservative Academic, I understand and deeply experience what it means to be a minority. I'm giving Mastadon a spin in search of respectful conversation. #introduction
@williamlweaver @freemo You were willing to admit you're conservative in your bio *AND* use a USA flag emoji in your handle? Oh lord you're gonna have fun on Mastodon.
Welcome to the jungle
@williamlweaver @freemo FYI you can set the visibility of your toots (see that lock icon below).
I use Unlisted when I know I am going to post something that will trigger someone. Also use CW (content warning). Anything political should be inside a content warning. Using both tools gives you an out when you have someone coming at you--because they would have had to jump over those hurdles to become offended.
Thanks! Great advice!
I have noticed that the network automatically labels and hides Political posts when I use certain keywords. Is this a feature?
Thanks for the education! I'll be sure to use the CW button. =]
@williamlweaver @freemo No, everyone does that by hand. Liberal application of CW is normal behavior on masto.
IMO it's not a bad practice. Someone who has an agenda to deplatform you loses a lot of credibility when they're manually opening up your CW posts, tooting around blocks--etc.